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The Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) process, outlined below, is a means by which an athlete can request approval to use a prescribed prohibited substance or method for the treatment of a legitimate medical condition.

Athletes should advise all medical personnel of their obligation to abide by the anti-doping rules of their sport and that any medical treatment received must not violate these rules.

Athletes should also check the status of all medications and treatments by visiting WADA’s website to review the Prohibited List - http://list.wada-ama.org/ or use the Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO). It is important to check the status of all medications, supplements and treatments on an annual basis as the list is updated annually (effective January 1). Even if a particular substance or method isn’t banned this year it does not necessarily mean that it won’t become prohibited in a subsequent year.

If the medication is not prohibited, athletes can start using the prescribed medication or treatment.

If the medication is prohibited, athletes should check with their prescribing physician or the sport’s medical personnel if there are any alternative medications or treatments that are permitted.

If there are no permitted alternatives, athletes should contact their National Anti-Doping Organization.

Only in emergency situations (e.g. allergic reaction, exacerbation of asthma, onset of Bell's palsy) should treatment begin without the necessary approval.

As a condition of participation in each IRONMAN® and IRONMAN® 70.3® event, all registered athletes are required to acknowledge and abide by IRONMAN’s Anti-Doping Rules. In accordance with the Anti-Doping Rules, all registered athletes are subject to in and out of competition testing and are encouraged to learn and understand all applicable rules and obligations prior to registering for events (including, without limitation, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s anti-doping rules governing Prohibited Substances and Therapeutic Use Exemptions). When in doubt, athletes are encouraged to ask questions and to seek advice from qualified medical professionals.

3. How can an athlete or their support personnel determine if a substance is prohibited?

Visit WADA’s website and review the Prohibited List- http://list.wada-ama.org/. It is important to check the Prohibited List on an annual basis- even if a particular medication isn’t banned this year, it does not necessarily mean that it won’t become prohibited in a subsequent year.

YES, it is possible that a medication prescribed by a physician is on the WADA Prohibited list. Therefore, it is imperative that athletes verify the status of a medication before you begin taking it. In the case of a true emergency, however, athletes should follow doctor’s instructions and contact IRONMAN as soon as feasible if it is determined that a prohibited substance was taken.

5. What should an athlete do if they need to use a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method for a legitimate medical reason?

Athletes must seek a Therapeutic Use Exemption (“TUE”) from their National Anti-Doping Organization (“NADO”) or Regional Anti-Doping Organization (“RADO”), as applicable, in accordance with the policies of those organizations.

Yes- any Athlete who obtains a TUE from his/her NADO or RADO shall promptly email to tue@ironman.com a copy of the TUE, together with all documentation submitted in support of the TUE, for review in accordance with the Anti-Doping Rules.